Multi-player ticket redemption arcade game

• US 5,967,514 A
• Filed: 12/22/1997
• Issued: 10/19/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sierra Design Group (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Rlt Acquisition Inc.
• Inventors: Oltmann, J. Richard, Kelly, Matthew F., Petermeier, Norman B., Kelly, Bryan M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiu, Raleigh W.
• Application Number:
  US08/995,649
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 273/118 R, 273/118 A, 273/118 D, 273/123 A, 273/138.1, 273/142 R, 273/142 B
• US Class Current: 273/138.1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/0017 progressive jackpot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2007/0052 with a playstation for each participant, each with a separate playing field
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 5/045 using a rotating wheel and a fixed indicator, e.g. fortune wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 7/0058 electric A63F7/027, A63F7/3065 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3213 Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3297 Fairground games, e.g. Tivoli, coin pusher machines, cranes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

An arcade game including a progressive bonus apparatus connected to a plurality of individual game units. The progressive bonus apparatus receives score contributions from each game unit to increase a progressive score. When players achieve a predetermined task on a game unit, they receive a non-monetary award based on the progressive score. Each game unit connected to the progressive bonus apparatus may take the form of an arcade-type game with a rotating wheel on which to base scoring. A playing piece is directed down a playing surface towards a target end, and the wheel is rotated according to the target that was hit by the playing piece. The position of the wheel when it stops rotating affects the score. A non-monetary award based on the score is dispensed to the player when the game is completed.

Claims

1. A multi-player game apparatus comprising:

a plurality of player stations, where each player station is receptive to a token of monetary value that initiates a skilled game play for a player at a player station; and

a progressive bonus apparatus coupled to said plurality of player stations and operative to accumulate a progressive score based upon contributions from said plurality of player stations and further operative to provide a non-monetary bonus award based upon said progressive score to a player at a player station when said player accomplishes a predetermined skilled task.

2. A multi-player game apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said award consists of at least one redemption ticket.

3. A multi-player game apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said progressive score includes the sum of said contributions from said player stations.

4. A multi-player game apparatus comprising:

a plurality of player stations accommodating a plurality of players, where each of said player stations can receive a token of monetary value that initiates a skilled game play for a player at said player station;

a mechanical guide associated with each of said plurality of player stations to allow the player to influence said initiation of a game play in a skilled manner; and

a progressive bonus device coupled to said plurality of player stations and operative to accumulate a progressive score that can persist after the players at said player stations have completed their skilled game play if a bonus award has not been awarded to a player, said progressive bonus being further operative to provide a bonus award in the form of at least one redemption ticket to a player at a player station when said player is to be awarded a bonus award, where the magnitude of said bonus award is related to the magnitude of said progressive score.